Fu Yue Casino.
The place was bustling with noise, but the messy rumors from outside were gone. Everyone was in high spirits, focused solely on betting on big or small to make quick money.
Xie Lingqin and Zihe changed into men's clothing and quickly blended into the crowd.
"Zihe, let's bet big, it's my treat today."
“…Young…Young Master…”
"Um?"
Did you bring any money?
"Isn't this your business?"
“…I didn’t bring it.”
Xie Lingqin...
"Fine, you're just deliberately trying to make things difficult for me." Xie Lingqin said as she walked over to the center of the room, the most lively spot in the entire venue.
"Oh, young master." Zihe quickly followed.
Then they heard voices coming from ahead.
"Bet all on big. If I lose again this round, you can pawn me. I'll become your master's foot-washing bodyguard."
The man's mocking, half-smiling taunt brought the atmosphere to a climax.
"Alright, alright, seeing your courage, I'll take your bet..."
"Me too..."
"Follow, follow, follow..."
The dealer was a middle-aged woman who still retained her charm. She raised an eyebrow and smiled, then shook the cylinder and threw it. "I say, young master, watch carefully. If you lose this round, you really will have to do as you said."
In the crowd, a young man in a blue robe raised his hand high, "Hurry up, stop dawdling, my luck in gambling has never been bad."
Okay.
"Young...Young Master, let's not go there. This place is full of all sorts of people. You said you wanted to find Master Nie, so let's just go to the back hall."
Zihe glanced around and frowned at the bustling and chaotic place, but she noticed that her young mistress was unusually excited.
"Wait, I'll join in too."
Before the dealer could stop rolling the dice, Xie Lingqin finally managed to squeeze into the crowd with remarkable skill.
The croupier recognized Xie Lingqin, but wisely didn't expose her. Instead, he smiled teasingly and said, "Alright, young master, bring the money."
“If I don’t have any money, I’ll gamble with my guards.” Xie Lingqin pushed Zihe, who was dressed as a man, out to stand with the pile of banknotes and silver.
Zihe...
He looked unusually flustered.
"Oh my... This is something new today, someone's even betting on their guards."
"It's getting lively..."
The crowd was in high spirits, clearly energized.
"Oh, you trust me that much." It was the same man who had just offered himself up as a wager. The man was young, with arrogant and deep-set eyes and a distinct profile. He was the kind of face that you would remember after just one glance in a crowd.
The man appeared to be smiling, but his hostility did not reach his eyes. Instead, he concealed his murderous intent. Even in a place that would excite and indulge one's spirit, his gaze remained clear and composed.
Moreover, Xie Lingqin had seen this man before.
That night, he hid in her carriage and, whether intentionally or unintentionally, dropped Yuwen Xian's token, which she has now used.
It is said that he was the crown prince of Western Xia.
A prince who is not favored, but lives a prosperous and comfortable life.
"Yes, I believe you."
Xie Lingqin smiled.
Upon seeing this, the croupier smiled and immediately shook the drum.
The hall erupted in a cacophony of voices, nearly shattering eardrums.
"Ah, Big Brother, we won, we won..."
The dealer looked at the stopper, showing no anger or anxiety even though he had lost.
"Kid, you're something else, you're something else."
Those who had bet with the man earlier were naturally happy to win and continued playing with their money.
The man, however, calmly raised an eyebrow, took his own silver from the table, stuffed it into his pocket, and left.
Xie Lingqin followed.
Zihe...
Fortunately, the young lady didn't lose it all.
We had no choice but to accept our fate and follow along.
"I said, what are you doing following me?"
The man hadn't gone far from the gambling den when he turned back to look at Xie Lingqin. The smile in his eyes vanished, replaced by a sudden chill. "If you don't want to die, then don't follow me anymore."
Xie Lingqin stood with her hands behind her back, appearing completely innocent. "I've heard that Prince Xian has been searching for the whereabouts of the Crown Prince of Western Xia recently, intending to deal with him secretly. Tell me, what if I told Prince Xian..."
"Are you one of Yuwen Xian's men?"
"No, he and I are enemies."
The man's brow furrowed.
"As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I think we should get to know each other."
Xie Lingqin smiled, regained her female voice, and extended her hand.
The man looked Xie Lingqin up and down, then smiled. "So it's you, the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion. You are indeed different. By the way, where is that token?"
"I'm not going to say anything more, it wasn't used in its best way." Xie Lingqin waved her hand.
It was obvious that the man had recognized her.
"Okay, I have some things to take care of. Wait for me in the alley ahead for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn," Xie Lingqin said suddenly, as if remembering something.
The man looked her up and down but did not respond.
Xie Lingqin, however, had already turned around with Zihe and entered the gambling den, heading straight for the back hall. As they passed through the main hall, she didn't forget to greet the dealer from before.
It was a whistle...
Zihe was horrified.
She never knew that her mistress had this side to her.
So frivolous, so lewd...
"Don't be surprised." Xie Lingqin patted Zihe's shoulder.
An assassin has to have a thousand faces, but by nature, she is the most aloof one.
Nie Zuier was basking in the sun in the courtyard... the ethereal sun. Looking at Xie Lingqin, who was dressed in men's clothing and had a refined and handsome appearance, she suddenly sighed.
"If you were a real man, I'd really like to devour you, but unfortunately..."
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